AP answers critics

RACING: FOR a man who has been crowned champion jockey for the last 14 seasons, Tony (AP) McCoy has come in for some unwarranted criticism in recent weeks.

His riding of Cheltenham Gold Cup hopeful Denman and his suitability for the mount in the first place has come under scrutiny, but racing’s most driven character has kept a dignified silence.

So it was wonderful to see the punter’s greatest friend answer his critics in the best possible style yesterday when he steered Binocular to a breathtaking and deeply-satisfying victory in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Amazingly, the horse had been written off less than a month ago when trainer Nicky Henderson - on McCoy’s advice - had Binocular checked out by vets and found him to be suffering with a muscle problem in his back.

Initially ruled out for the rest of the jumps season, Binocular responded to treatment and, in the last fortnight, gave trainer and jockey enough encouragement to place him back in the big-race picture.

McCoy has never lost faith in the slick-jumping six-year-old, who travelled like a dream throughout the hurdling championship before kicking on between the last two hurdles and holding off the late challenge of Khyber Kim.

After hugging the horse around the neck as he entered the winner’s enclosure, an emotional McCoy said: “I don’t know why, but I schooled him last week and it was the first time he hurdled like Binocular can and he did the same today. This is better than any feeling I’ve ever had on a horse.”

The relieved trainer said: “We have not been happy with him all season and even after his latest victory it was clear that it was not the Binocular we know.

“But for some reason he turned the corner and was electric when Tony schooled him last week.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Khyber Kim is hoping for a rematch.

He said: “We were beaten by a better horse and have no excuses, but I’d love another go at Binocular as I don’t think he’ll always be better.”

The disappointment of the race was favourite Go Native, who never travelled with his usual fluency.

Trainer Noel Meade said: “He dived at the second and Paul (Carberry) said he never felt right after that. He was lucky to stand up and must have hurt himself.”




THE Dunguib bubble was well and truly burst in the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in which Menorah held off Get Me Out Of Here by a rapidly-diminishing head.



Ireland’s great hope gave lengths away by taking the outside route under Brian O’Connell and did not help his cause with a couple of hurdling errors.

There were those who doubted his inexperienced jockey and I’m afraid this wasn’t the best of rides.

I also believe that Dunguib needs further than yesterday’s two-mile trip and that the re-positioning of the last hurdle did not help his cause.

The Cheltenham executive recently decided to move the final flight nearer to the finishing line in order to shorten the run-in and reduce the risk of jockeys picking up whip-related bans.

But in doing so, they have altered the whole complexion of the home straight and I have no doubt that Menorah - gusty and talented though he is - was the chief beneficiary as he was being closed down close home.

Another highlight was the Arkle Chase victory of specialist two-miler Sizing Europe - although runner-up Somersby looks the better long-term prospect, especially over further.